The castle was gone by morning.
Tide must've taken it. Not a single shell or ridge remained, just smooth sand and broken foam. I stood there barefoot, toes buried, watching the waves roll in again like they hadn't stolen anything.
Shade came up behind me carrying two mugs. He offered one. The steam smelled like cinnamon.
"You didn't even try to protect it."
He sipped from his own cup. "I figured the tide deserved a win."
We drank quietly, facing the sea.
We'd decided to stay a few more days. There was nothing left to do but wait. The investigation was still closed off, and the paperwork for my mother's body hadn't cleared. We weren't needed, which felt like a gift and a punishment at the same time.
Shade hadn't pushed. Not once. He just woke when I woke, ate when I remembered to, an
